TLW-Journal-2

The Language Works ~ Journal Entries ~ Spencer 2

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S2~5: Who Were the Brothers Grimm?

Grim = Originates from Old German "grimm" meaning "fierce, cruel, savage". This word comes from

pre-Germanic sources. It’s not known whether not this word is related to the family name "Grimm".

Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), were German academics who collected

mainly Germanic folklore. If you know some of the tales that the Brothers Grimm compiled

(for example, Little Red Riding Hood) you will know some of them are quite fierce if not cruel and savage.

"Their father's death in 1796 (when Jacob was 11 and Wilhelm was 10 years old) caused great poverty

and affected the brothers emotionally many years after." (Wikipedia). At university, they developed a curiosity

about German folklore. It turns out it became a lifelong dedication for them. They popularized such stories as

Cinderella , The Frog Prince , Hansel and Gretel , Rapunzel , Rumpelstiltskin , Sleeping Beauty , and Snow White .

A collection of these tales was first seen in 1812. By 1857 their first collection was revised and republished many times

growing from 86 stories to more than 200. Perhaps Walt Disney benefitted most from their efforts.

1) Do you know any folktales or other stories from your country’s history past or present? Please tell a story.

2) When you were a child, who told you stories or read you books? Were you influenced by folktales? Tell.

3) Are you old enough to tell stories or read to younger (your) children? What do (or did) you read?

4) Do you think folktales play an important role in young people’s development? If not, what influences young people?

5) Which of the Grimm brother’s folktales do you like best? Explain. Do you think some of them are too violent?

6) Are there any writers in your country who have collected folktales as the Grimm brothers did? Tell.

7) Are there any stories (folktales) you can share about your youth education? Why are they important to you?

S2~4: The Wonderful Story of Rice (Click underlined words for links)

Rice is a cereal grain. It is the seed of many kinds of grasses. It is the staple food of over half of the world's

population particularly in Asia and Africa. Asian rice may have been cultivated in China some 6000 years ago.

There is some debate over this history as factual (as there always is…). Rice is a rich source of carbohydrates

which is the body's main fuel source. Carbohydrates can keep you energized and satisfied and are important

for fueling work and exercise. Brown rice, especially, is an excellent source of many nutrients…

There are more than 40,000 varieties... (paraphrased from Colorado State University )

1) Do you eat rice every day? If not, why not? If so, do you ever get tired of it? Tell.

2) In your opinion, what is the best food/dish/recipe that includes rice? What could be the worst? Explain.

3) What kind of rice do you buy and where do you buy it? Is it expensive?

4) Do you think rice is healthier than other grains (like bread products)? What kind of bread do you eat? Tell.

5) Do you ever eat sushi? Where and how often? How is sushi rice different from other forms? Can you taste it?

6) Is rice used in rituals in your country (for example weddings in the US)? Explain.

7) Do you think new genetic forms of rice should be promoted (such as "golden rice")? Talk about it.

Contents:

1) New Trends in Food: Fusion or Confusion

2) Road Trips

3) Type 2 Diabetes

4) The Wonderful Story of Rice

5) Who Were the Brothers Grimm?

(In all essays, click underlined words for links to vocabulary or websites for further information)

S2~3: Type 2 Diabetes

Let’s face it. Sometimes we have to get a medical checkup. And it’s never fun. You will probably get an "A1C "

which tests for Type 2 diabetes. By the way, Type 1 diabetes is hereditary and is mostly due to your DNA, while

Type 2 is mostly acquired because of a poor diet and/or obesity. It is also known as "adult-onset diabetes".

Both types affect how your body regulates blood sugar. They are similar in this way. Type 1 can be managed,

while Type 2 can be reversed. At the same time, Type 2 can’t be cured. There is always the possibility for a relapse.

We can put Type 2 into remission with a proper diet, weight loss, and exercise. Easier said than done...

1) Do you know anyone with Type 1 diabetes? What is the treatment for it? What is insulin and what does it do?

2) Can you estimate your daily/weekly sugar intake? What foods/drinks contain the most sugar?

3) Does sugar cause hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children? What’s your experience (see this)?

4) What diseases can be caused by diabetes? Which diseases (dis + ease) are most common in your country? Why?

5) Do you think that stress can contribute to diabetes? Explain.

S2~1: New Trends in Food: Fusion or Confusion

Tsai: There’s a big shift involving wellness and health. Before drugs, it was food that kept you healthy, so by eating tofu, soybeans, and drinking red wine, you probably won’t get cancer. The trend is coming back, and people are realizing that you are what you eat, and food is the next medicine. People want to remain healthy, and obesity is the No. 1 disease that’s going to destroy this world, so that’s going to keep Asian food popular.

Ripert: I think it’s going to be more "fusion" to the point where we won’t know whether it’s Chinese or Thai

or Mandarin. Chefs are going to use more and more of those ingredients and techniques. The next trend is going

to be Asian food in the streets. I don’t know how many years it’s going to take, but we’re going to see that soon.

From The Daily Beast, July 3, 2017 (no longer available online)

Note: Ming Tsai focuses on East-West fusion cuisine and Eric Ripert is known for his French cuisine.

1) Can food keep you healthy? What are other factors that can cause disease? Explain.

2) What are the food trends in your culture these days? Are they healthy? Do you follow these trends?

3) Is obesity a problem in your country? Which age groups are most vulnerable? How can cultures address this issue?

4) Are there many fusion-style restaurants in your country? Describe the types. Or where do you eat out?

5) Can street food be as good as restaurants? Are there food trucks in your country? Are they safe/clean? Tell.

6) If you had a chance, what fusion food would you make for a party? What ingredients? Make a recipe.

7) What do you think about fine dining (expensive, exotic, course-style cuisine). Is it your cup of tea?

S2~2: Road Trips

To begin with, a journey can be seen as a series of trips (car, bus, train, boat, or plane). By contrast, a road trip

is travel by automobile from place A to place B, from departure to destination, though can seen as a journey in itself.

"Thelma and Louise" is a road trip movie. It’s a story about two women travelling from Arkansas to Arizona

in a convertible car. "Travels with Charley": John Steinbeck took a road trip across America in a truck with his dog Charley.

On the Road is a 1957 novel by American writer Jack Kerouac. It’s based on a road trip he and his friends took across

the United States in a 1949 Hudson. It is considered a work that defined the counterculture at that time known as the "Beats".

1) Have you ever taken or been on a road trip (including buses)? Tell about your experience.

2) Where would you like to take a road trip in your country? Why? Where abroad? Why?

3) Do you know of any movies or books describing a road trip? Tell.

4) Do you know anyone that has taken a road trip either domestically or abroad? Describe their story?

5) Are their any TV shows (domestic or foreign) that focus on road trips or travel of any kind? Tell.

6) Countercultures exist in almost all countries. Describe one that you know or have heard of.